Business Awards finalists announced

Four successful and well-known county businesses will be battling for the prestigious company of the year title at this year’s Shropshire Chamber Business Awards.

The finalists for the 2018 competition have been revealed today – and the company of the year competition is a battle between businesses with bases in Telford, Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth and Oswestry.

The foursome in the running for the title (pictured above) are Furrows Limited, Grainger and Worrall, Paveaways, and Pure Telecom.

The winners will be announced at the glittering black-tie ceremony at Telford’s International Centre on June 15. Tickets are now on sale at www.shropshirebusinessawards.co.uk.

There are 14 award categories this year – plus the John Clayton Award for outstanding contribution to the business community, and a special prize for a Telford-based business, being run by the local authority as part of the town’s 50^th birthday celebrations.

In the Customer Service category, Park House Hotel in Shifnal, CLCA Nursing in Shrewsbury, David Dexters in Bridgnorth, and XscapeNow! in Telford came out on top, sponsored by Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

In the Best New Business 1-5 employees category, is Lower House Equine Clinic, HR Solutions Shropshire, 3D Printz Limited, and double-shortlisters, XscapeNow! in the 6-20 employees category, Evans Halshaw Car Store in Shrewsbury, On the Move Education Group, Button & Bear Children’s Bookshop in Shrewsbury, and Beaver Bridges Limited in Shrewsbury have all been recognised. Both the Best New Business categories have been sponsored this year by Furrows Ltd.

The Best Online Business category, which launched in 2017 and is sponsored by Reech, saw Marshbrook-based Wood’s of Shropshire, Wrekin Water Softeners, Purition Ltd, and CJ WildBird Foods Ltd shortlisted.

Richard Sheehan, Chief Executive at the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, explained: “This year we received an exceptionally high volume of entries for all 15 of our categories, and to a very high standard, which made the final selection process quite challenging for our judges.

“We have an incredibly diverse range of businesses in our county and it was important for us to open up more categories to businesses which otherwise may have not entered. It’s also great to see many returning businesses, and many new organisations names in the running. Special thanks go to all of our award sponsors who continue to help make this annual celebration such a success.”

For a full list of all the finalists, see the official awards website. and the Shropshire Chamber website